Lightweight interlocking container

ABSTRACT

A lightweight interlocking container includes a tray and a lid. The tray includes a base, two side panels connected along one edge to the base, and two end panels connected along one edge to the base and along one edge to each of the side panels. The lid is configured to engage the tray. The tray and the lid each include at least one of protrusions and recesses configured to restrict lateral movement of the lid of the container relative to the tray of another substantially identical container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/560,276, entitled “Lightweight InterlockingContainer,” which was filed on Apr. 8, 2004, the disclosure of which ishereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a light weight container, and moreparticularly, to a lightweight container having interlockingcapabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The postal service receives millions of pieces of mail every day. Thismail is then sorted and transported to the various destinations.Generally, the sorting process involves placing mail with the samegeneral destinations into trays. The trays may be placed on pallets,which are loaded on trucks or other vehicles for transportation to theappropriate destinations. The pallets, on which the trays are placed andtransported, may be lightweight and flexible enough that column-stackedtrays are unstable when lifted by a fork truck.

Historically, the stability of a pallet loaded with trays has beenestablished by stretch wrapping or strapping the columns of stackedtrays to the pallet. However, stretch-wrapping or strapping the trays tothe pallets increases the time and labor associated with thetransporting process. In addition, the materials required tostretch-wrap or strap the trays to the pallet increase the material costassociated with the transporting process.

It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide alightweight tray with interlocking capabilities that minimizes oreliminates the need for binding a load of column-stacked trays to apallet before loading and transporting of the load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a container havinga tray and a lid. The tray includes a base, two side panels connectedalong one edge to the base, and two end panels connected along one edgeto the base and along one edge to each of the side panels. The lid isconfigured to engage the tray. The tray and the lid each include atleast one of protrusions and recesses configured to restrict lateralmovement of the lid of the container relative to the tray of anothersubstantially identical container.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method ofstacking containers. The method includes positioning a first layer ofcontainers, each having a tray and a lid. The lid includes one ofprotrusions and recesses. The method further includes positioning asecond layer of containers on top of the first layer of containers, eachof the second layer of containers having a tray and a lid. The tray ofthe second layer of containers includes the other of protrusions andrecesses. The other of protrusions and recesses of the second layer ofcontainers engage the one of protrusions and recesses of the first layerof containers to restrict lateral movement of the second layer ofcontainers relative to the first layer of containers.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description, which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the inventionand together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagrammatic illustration of a containeraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2A is a bottom view diagrammatic illustration of a tray of acontainer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a front view diagrammatic illustration of a tray of acontainer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is an end view diagrammatic illustration of a tray of acontainer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a cross-section view illustration of a label holder accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a top view diagrammatic illustration of a lid of a containeraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a front view diagrammatic illustration of a lid of acontainer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is an end view diagrammatic illustration of a lid of a containeraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is schematic illustration of an interlocking position of twocontainers according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4B is schematic illustration of an interlocking position of twocontainers according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4C is schematic illustration of an interlocking position of twocontainers according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4D is schematic illustration of an interlocking position of twocontainers according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4E is schematic illustration of an interlocking position of twocontainers according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is schematic illustration of a positioning pattern of containersaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is schematic illustration of a positioning pattern of containersaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplaryembodiments of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container 10. Container10 may include a lid 12 and a tray 14. Lid 12 may be configured toengage tray 14 to complete an enclosure. Lid 12 may or may not include alocking mechanism that secures lid 12 to tray 14. Lid 12 may be separatefrom tray 14 or hinged to tray 14. Container 10 may be formed from apolyolefin material such as, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene.Alternately, container 10 may be formed from a material other thanpolyolefin such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), aluminum, orany other suitable material that provides a lightweight protection forthe contents of container 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, tray 14 may include a base 16, two sidepanels 18, two end panels 20, and a curved rim 22. Each of side and endpanels 18 and 20 may be connected to base 16 along one edge. Inaddition, each side panel 18 may be connected to each end panel 20 alongone edge. Curved rim 22 may be disposed along an upper outer peripheryof tray 14 and connected to side and end panels 18 and 20. Base 16, sidepanels 18, end panels 20, and curved rim 22 may be a single integralpart formed through an injection molding process, a thermo-formingprocess, a blow molding process, or through any other appropriateforming or molding process known in the art. It is also contemplatedthat some or all of the parts may be formed separately and joinedtogether through a fabrication process.

Base 16 may be a planar rectangular-shaped part having a lengthdirection and a width direction. It is also contemplated that base 16may have a shape other than rectangular such as, for example, square orany other shape known in the art.

Base 16 may include one or more channels 24. Channels 24 may be linearlydisposed on a bottom surface 28 of base 16 in the width direction.Channels 24 may extend through base 16 and result in projections from atop surface 30 of base 16, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. It is alsocontemplated that channels 24 only extend a portion of the distancethrough base 16. It is contemplated that there may be more or fewer ofchannels 24 than those depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and that channels 24may extend in the length direction rather than the width direction. Itis also contemplated that base 16 may include channels in both the widthand length direction or that channels 24 may be absent from base 16 andonly included in lid 12, as will be described below. Channels 24 may beconfigured to retain container securing straps (not shown) in apredetermined position relative to container 10. It is contemplated thatanother means for retaining the container securing straps may beimplemented such as, for example, loops, projections, or another meansknown in the art.

Base 16 may also include one or more positioning recesses 26. Thepositioning recesses 26 may be disposed in bottom surface 28 of base 16.Recesses 26 may extend through base 16 and result in projections fromtop surface 30 of base 16, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. It is alsocontemplated that recesses 26 only extend a portion of the distancethrough base 16. Recesses 26 may each have a circular, square, L-shaped,rectangular, or any other appropriate cross-sectional shape known in theart. It is further contemplated that recesses 26 may be absent andprojections included. Recesses 26 may be disposed in rows 32 and columns34 after a particular pattern. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the distancebetween rows 32 and columns 34 of recesses 26 may be equal. It is alsocontemplated that there may be a greater or lesser number of rows 32 andcolumns 34, that recesses 26 may be disposed in another pattern otherthan rows 32 and columns 34, and that the spacing between recesses 26may or may not be equal.

Base 16 may include one or more protrusions 35 extending from either endof base 16. The pattern of protrusions extending from one end of base 16may be different from the pattern of protrusions extending from theopposite end of base 16. The different patterns of protrusions 35 mayfacilitate nesting of one tray 14 within another substantially identicaltray 14 when the two trays 14 are aligned, and stacking of the trays 14when oriented 180 degrees from each other. It is contemplated that adifferent number of protrusions 35 than depicted in FIG. 2A may beincluded within base 16. It is further contemplated that the samepattern of protrusions 35 may extend from both ends of base 16 or thatprotrusions 35 may be absent, if desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, side panels 18 may be planartrapezoidal-shaped parts having a first length generally equal to thatof base 16 and a second length greater than the first. A widthdimension, between the two parallel edges of side panels 18, may be lessthan both the first and second lengths. It is also contemplated that thewidth dimension may be greater than the first and second lengthdimensions and that side panels 18 may have another shape other thantrapezoidal. The trapezoidal shape of side panels 18, as well as endpanels 20, as discussed below, may facilitate nesting of tray 14 withinanother identical tray 14.

Each of side panels 18 may include vertical corrugations 40longitudinally extended in the width direction. Each of corrugations 40may extend through both an inner surface 41 and outer surface 43 of eachside panel 18 (referring to FIG. 2A). Alternately, corrugations 40 mayonly extend through one of inner and outer surfaces 41 or 43, or may bedisposed between inner and outer surfaces 41 and 43. Corrugations 40 maybe continuous along side panel 18 or may, alternately, includeinterrupted sections of corrugations. Corrugations 40 may extend from abottom edge 45 of each side panel 18 to a top edge 47 of each side panel18. It is contemplated that corrugations 40 may or may not begin and endon an edge of respective side panels 18, and that corrugations 40 may ormay not be orthogonal to the bottom and top edges 45, 47. Corrugations40 may be configured to add strength to container 10 vertically and/ortransversely. It is also contemplated that corrugations 40 may be absentand another means for strengthening container 10 present such as, forexample, reinforcement members, creases, or another means forstrengthening known in the art.

FIG. 2C illustrates end panels 20 as being planar trapezoidal-shapedparts having a first length generally equal to the width of base 16 anda second length greater than the first. The width of end panels 20 maybe generally equal to the width of side panels 18.

Each of end panels 20 may include a corrugated section 36. Corrugatedsection 36 may include two sets of corrugations 40 a and 40 blongitudinally extended in the width direction. Each of corrugations 40may extend through both an inner surface 42 and an outer surface 44 ofeach end panel 20 (referring to FIG. 2A). Alternately, corrugations 40may only extend through one of inner and outer surfaces 42 or 44, or maybe disposed between inner and outer surfaces 42 and 44. One set ofcorrugations 40 a may be angled towards the other set of corrugations 40b and may extend from a bottom edge 46 of each end panel 20 to a topedge 48 of each end panel 20. It is contemplated that corrugations 40may or may not begin and end on an edge of respective end panels 20, andthat corrugations 40 may or may not be angled. Corrugations 40 may beconfigured to add strength to container 10 vertically and/ortransversely. It is also contemplated that corrugations 40 may be absentand another means for strengthening container 10 present such as, forexample, reinforcement members, creases, or another means forstrengthening known in the art.

Each of end panels 20 may also include one or more nesting stops 38.Nesting stops 38 may be protrusions extending outward from an outersurface of end panels 20. Nesting stops 38 may be configured to abutcurved rim 22 of a second container when tray 14 is inserted into thesecond container to thereby limit an engagement depth of tray 14 withinthe second container. It is contemplated that a greater or lesser numberof nesting stops 38 may be included and that nesting stops 38 mayalternately be disposed on side panels 18. It is also contemplated thatanother means for limiting the engagement depth of tray 14 within thesecond container may be implemented. These other means for limiting theengagement depth may include, for example, a stop protruding from bottomsurface 28 of base 16, a stop protruding from top surface 30 of base 16,a rim disposed on an outer periphery of tray 14, or others as known inthe art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D, one or both of end panels 20 mayinclude a label holder 50 generally centrally positioned on outersurface 44. Label holder 50 may be a snap-in type label holder having arecessed portion 50 a, and two retaining portions 50 b. A flexible label52 may be pressed into recessed portion 50 a and retained in position byretaining portion 50 b. It is also contemplated that label holder 50 maybe absent from end panels 20 and included in side panels 18 or in tray14.

As described above and illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, curved rim 22 may bedisposed along an upper outer periphery of tray 14 relative to base 16and connected to side and end panels 18 and 20. Curved rim 22 mayinclude an angled portion 56 extending at variable distances away fromside and end panels 18 and 20. Curved rim 22 may be configured toprovide support to an upper portion of tray 14 and provide a means forgrasping container 10. In particular, curved rim 22 may include a handleportion 58 located at each end of tray 14, adjacent end panels 20.Handle portion 58 may allow access from both the top and bottom ofcontainer 10 and may be in the form of a bar secured within rim 22. Itis also contemplated that another means for grasping container 10 may beincluded such as, for example, projections or recesses located midway onside and/or end panels 18 and 20, projections or recesses located onbase 16, a central projection or recess located on a lid secured to tray14, or other means known in the art. Curved rim 22 may also include oneor more pinch portions 59. Pinch portions 59 may connect a lower outeredge of angled portion 56 to end panels 20 to provide support to angleportion 56.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, lid 12 may include a main portion 60 anda peripheral portion 62. Peripheral portion 62 may be connected to mainportion 60 along an entire perimeter of main portion 60 and may have asimilar overall shape as rim 22 of tray 14 so that lid 12 fits on anupper surface of rim 22. Main portion 60 and peripheral portion 62 maybe a single integral part created through a forming or molding process.Alternately, each part may be formed separately and joined togetherthrough a fabrication process.

Main portion 60 may be a planar rectangular-shaped part having a lengthdirection and a width direction. It is also contemplated that mainportion 60 may have another shape such as, for example, square,circular, or any other shape known in the art. Main portion 60 mayinclude one or more channels 64 and one or more positioning projections66.

Channels 64 may be linearly disposed on a top surface 68 of main portion60 in the width direction, aligned with channels 24 in base 16 of tray14. Channels 64 may extend through base 16 and result in projectionsfrom a bottom surface 70 of main portion 60. It is contemplated thatchannels 64 may only extend a fraction of a distance through mainportion 60. It is also contemplated that there may be a greater orlesser number of channels 64 than those depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, andthat channels 64 may extend in the length direction rather than thewidth direction. It is further contemplated that main portion 60 mayinclude channels 64 in both the width and length directions, or thatchannels 64 may be absent and only channels 24 in base 16 included. Asexplained above, channels 64 may be configured to retain containersecuring straps in a predetermined position relative to container 10.

Projections 66 may include multiple projections disposed in main portion60 of lid 12. Projections 66 may have a circular, square, L-shaped,rectangular, or any other appropriate cross-section known in the art.Projections 66 may be configured to be received within recesses 26 oftray 14 to restrict motion of container 10 relative to anothersubstantially identical container 10, when containers 10 are stacked oneon top of the other. As described above, it is contemplated that base 16may alternately have projections. In this situation, projections 66 inthe lid may be absent and recesses included. Alternately, both tray 14and lid 12 may include projections that interact to restrict motion ofone container 10 relative to another container 10, when containers 10are stacked one on top of another

Projections 66 in lid 12 may be disposed in rows 32 and columns 34 aftera predetermined pattern. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the distance betweenrows 32 and columns 34 of projections 66 may be equal. In addition, thepattern of rows 32 and columns 34 of projections 66 in lid 12 may besubstantially the same as the pattern of rows 32 and columns 34 ofrecesses 26 in base 16. It is contemplated that projections 66 may bedisposed in another pattern other than rows 32 and columns 34, thatthere may be a greater or lesser number of rows 32 and columns 34, thatthe spacing between projections 66 may or may not be equal, and that thepattern of projections 66 in lid 12 may be different than the pattern ofrecesses 26 in tray 14.

Peripheral portion 62 may have a substantially constant cross-sectionand an inner surface 72 configured to mate against angled portion 56 ofcurved rim 22. Alternately, peripheral portion 62 may have a variablecross-section.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate available vertical stacking arrangements of oneexemplary container 10 relative to another. FIGS. 5-6 illustrateavailable stacking patterns for layers of exemplary containers 10 on apallet 74. These figures will be discussed in the following section tofurther illustrate the disclosed invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed container 10 may provide a lightweight sturdy supportstructure and environmental protection for its contents. Tray 14 ofcontainer 10 may be nestable, stackable, and interlockable with othersubstantially identical trays 14. In addition, container 10 may reduceor eliminate the need to stretch-wrap or strap containers 10 to a pallet74 before handling or loading of pallet 74, may provide for secureplacement of individual container retention straps, may provide forsnap-in placement of a label, and may prevent binding of one container10 relative to another when nested. As a result, container 10 and amethod of stacking and interlocking trays 14 may reduce the materialcost, time, and labor typically associated with handling, loading, andtransporting of conventional containers.

As described above, tray 14 may be nested and stacked within a secondidentical tray 14 when lid 12 is removed from the lower tray 14. Nestingis the loading of a portion of one tray 14 inside of another to eitherreduce the space displaced the trays 14 or to make empty containers 10easier to transport. Tray 14 of one container 10 may be nested withinthe tray 14 of another container 10 in a first orientation where thelongitudinal directions of the two containers 10 are aligned, and may beblocked from nesting by protrusions 35 in a second orientation that isrotated 180° relative to the first orientation. When blocked fromnesting, the two containers 10 may be stacked one on top of the other,with the base of the upper container 10 retained within rim 22 of thelower container to limit relative movement between the two containerswithout closing the lid 12 of the lower container. It is contemplatedthat container 10 may alternately be nestable in both the first andsecond orientations.

The engagement depth that a first container 10 is nested within a secondcontainer 10 may be limited to minimize the likelihood of separationdifficulty. As also described above, nesting stops 38 may be provided onthe first container 10 that are configured to engage curved rim 22 ofthe second container 10, within which the first container 10 is nestedto limit engagement depth. In this manner, containers 10 may be nestedwithout the associated risk of binding relative to each other thathinders separation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E, containers 10 may be interlocked in anumber of ways because of the equally spaced pattern of projection andrecess rows 32 and columns 34. FIG. 4A shows two containers 10longitudinally aligned, with an upper container 10 offset from a lowercontainer 10 in a longitudinal direction. In FIG. 4A, one row 32 ofprojections 66 (two projections total) from the lower container lid 12engage one row 32 of recesses 26 in base 16 of the upper container 10.FIG. 4B also shows two containers 10 longitudinally aligned, but withthe upper container 10 offset from the lower container 10 in atransverse direction. In FIG. 4B, a longitudinal column 34 ofprojections 66 (three projections total) from the lower container lid 12engage a column 34 of recesses 66 in base 16 of the upper container 10,with the containers offset widthwise. FIG. 4C shows two containers 10orthogonally disposed relative to the longitudinal directions of eachcontainer 10. In FIG. 4C, two rows 32 of projections 66 (fourprojections total) from the lower container 10 engage two rows 32 ofrecesses 66 from each column 34 in base 16 of the upper container 10.FIG. 4D, similar to FIG. 4C, shows two orthogonal containers 10, butwith only one row 32 of projections 66 (two projections total) from thelower container 10 engaging two recesses 26 from one column 34 in base16 of the upper container 10. FIG. 4E again shows two orthogonalcontainers 10, but with only one projection 66 from the lower container10 engaged with one recess 26 in base 16 of the upper container 10. Itis contemplated that other interlocking arrangements may be made, andthat greater or fewer projections 66 and recesses 26 may be engaged.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-6, different patterns for layers of containers10 stacked on pallets 74. A typical lightweight pallet may have thegeneral dimensions of three feet wide and four feet long. Alternateembodiments may includes pallets one-half to one-third these dimensionsas well. Containers 10 may have a length generally two-fifths the lengthof pallet 74 and a width generally one third the width of pallet 74.Other relationships of container width and length to pallet width andlength are also contemplated. Typical layers of generally comprise eightcontainers 10 per layer, and may be arranged differently to accommodatedifferent load requirements.

FIG. 5 shows a pattern A having all eight containers 10 longitudinallyaligned in a single direction, with two columns of four containers 10each. FIG. 6 shows a pattern B having three rows of containers 10including two outside rows that are longitudinally aligned in a firstdirection and one inside row longitudinally aligned in a seconddirection that is orthogonal to the first direction. Alternately, theinside row may be longitudinally aligned in the first direction and theoutside row aligned in the second direction.

Different layers of containers 10 stacked on the same pallet 74 may havedifferent patterns. For example, a first layer may be stacked afterpattern A and a second layer stacked after pattern B. Alternately, afirst layer may be stacked after pattern A and a second layer stackedafter pattern C. In addition, a first layer may be stacked after patternB and a second pattern stacked after pattern C. Further, a first and asecond layer may be stacked after only pattern A, only pattern B, oronly pattern C. It is also contemplated that the pattern of one layermay be rotated a number of different ways relative to a second layer.

Other embodiments of the disclosed container will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the invention disclosed herein. For example, the containers may be adifferent shape, they may have different interlocking mechanisms, andthere may be multiple shapes and sizes of containers configured tostack, interlock, and nest within each other. It is also contemplatedthat other patterns of layering containers may be implemented, that allof the patterns within a pallet load may have the same pattern, that allpatterns with the same pallet load may have different patterns, or thatthe patterns may involve containers of different sizes and shapes. It isintended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplaryonly, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated bythe following claims.

1. A container comprising: a tray having: a base; two side panels, eachconnected along one edge to the base; and two end panels, each connectedalong one edge to the base and along one edge to each of the two sidepanels; and a lid configured to engage the tray, wherein the tray andthe lid each include at least one of protrusions and recesses configuredto restrict lateral movement of the lid of the container relative to thetray of another substantially identical container.
 2. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the lid includes protrusions and the tray includesrecesses, the recesses configured to receive the protrusions.
 3. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the side panels and theend panels includes at least one outer corrugated surface.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 3, wherein the outer corrugated surface includeslongitudinal corrugations angled relative to an edge of the at least oneof the side panels and the end panels.
 5. The container of claim 1,wherein the side and end panels of the tray, when assembled taper from adistal surface inward toward the base, the tray being configured to nestwithin another identical tray.
 6. The container of claim 5, furtherincluding nesting stops, configured to limit engagement of the tray ofthe container with the tray of another substantially identical containerwhen nesting.
 7. The container of claim 5, wherein the tray is nestablein a first orientation relative to the other substantially identicaltray and blocked from nesting in a second orientation, the secondorientation being generally 180° rotated from the first orientation. 8.The container of claim 1, further including a curved rim disposed alongan upper outer periphery of the tray.
 9. The container of claim 8,wherein the curved rim includes a handle portion.
 10. The container ofclaim 9, wherein the handle portion forms a bar.
 11. The container ofclaim 8, wherein the handle portion is accessible from a top and abottom direction relative to the base of the tray.
 12. The container ofclaim 8, wherein the curved rim is formed along the entire upper outerperiphery of the tray.
 13. The container of claim 1, further including alabel holder.
 14. The container of claim 13, wherein the label holderincludes a recessed portion and retaining portions configured forsnap-in retention of a label.
 15. The container of claim 1, wherein thebase includes one of protrusions and recesses and the lid includes theother of protrusions and recesses, the protrusions and recesses eachhaving a pattern.
 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the pattern ofthe protrusions is identical to the pattern of the recesses.
 17. Thecontainer of claim 15, wherein the pattern includes multiple columns andmultiple rows of protrusions.
 18. The container of claim 17, wherein aspacing between the rows is equal to the spacing between the columns.19. The container of claim 1, wherein the protrusions and recesses haveat least one of a round, square, triangular, L-shaped, or rectangularcross-section.
 20. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of thetray and the lid include at least one strap retention channel.
 21. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein a length of the base is longer than awidth of the base.
 22. The container of claim 1, wherein the containeris made from a polyolefin material.
 23. The container of claim 1,wherein the lid and the tray are made from at least one of athermo-forming and a molding process.
 24. A method of stackingcontainers, comprising: positioning a first layer of containers having atray and a lid, the lid of the first layer of containers having one ofprotrusions and recesses; positioning a second layer of containers ontop of the first layer of containers, each of the second layer ofcontainers having a tray and a lid, the tray of the second layer ofcontainers having the other of protrusions and recesses, wherein theother of protrusions and recesses of the second layer of containersengage the one of protrusions and recesses of the first layer ofcontainers to restrict lateral movement of the second layer ofcontainers relative to the first layer of containers.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein all of the containers of at least one of the first andsecond layers are longitudinally positioned in a single direction. 26.The method of claim 24, wherein at least one of the first and secondlayers include three rows of positioned containers, two rows beinglongitudinally aligned in a first direction and one row beinglongitudinally aligned in a second direction different from the first.27. A container comprising: a tray having: a base; two side panels, eachconnected along one edge to the base; and two end panels, each connectedalong one edge to the base and along one edge to each of the two sidepanels; and a lid configured to engage the tray, wherein the tray andthe lid each include a means for restricting movement of the lid of thecontainer relative to the tray of another substantially identicalcontainer.
 28. The container of claim 27, further including a means forstrengthening the tray.
 29. The container of claim 28, wherein the meansfor strengthening includes longitudinal corrugations angled relative toan edge of the at least one of the side panels and the end panels. 30.The container of claim 27, wherein the side and end panels of the traytaper from a distal surface inward toward the base, the tray configuredto nest within another substantially identical tray.
 31. The containerof claim 30, further including a means for limiting engagement of thetray of the container with the tray of another substantially identicalcontainer when nesting.
 32. The container of claim 27, further includinga means for grasping the container.
 33. The container of claim 32,wherein the means for grasping is accessible from a top and a bottomdirection relative to the base of the tray.
 34. The container of claim27, further including a means for holding a label.
 35. The container ofclaim 34, wherein the means for holding is configured for snap-inplacement of the label.
 36. The container of claim 27, further includinga means for positioning straps around the container.
 37. The containerof claim 27, wherein the means for restricting has a pattern.
 38. Thecontainer of claim 37, wherein the means for restricting includes afirst means for restricting movement included in the tray and a secondmeans for restricting movement included in the lid, the first means forrestricting having a pattern identical to a pattern of the second meansfor restricting.